Condenser installation



W.BFLANDERS CONDENS ER INSTALLATION March 2 1926.

ATTORN :Y

Patented Mar. 2, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WARREN' B. FLANDERS, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO WEST- INGHOUSE ELECTRIC AND MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

CONDENSER INSTALLATION.

Application filed March 29, 1921.

10 all lwho/m, t may concern.:

Be it known that I, IVARREN B. FLAN- Duns, a citizen of the Unit-ed States, and a resident of Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Condenser Installation, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to surface condensers and it has for an object the provision of a novel method and means for preventing the flooding of a condenser, and the consequent loss of vacuum therein, due to the failure of the condensate pump. It has for a further r object the provision of means for increasing the eiliciency of the air-withdrawal apparatus under normal operating conditions by effecting a maximum cooling of he noncondensable gases prior to the withdrawal thereof.

Inthe accompanying drawing, Fig. 1 is a vertical view, partially in section and partially in elevation, of a condenser equipped with an apparatus constructed in accordance with my invention and Fig. 2 is a similar view of a modified form of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1.,

The operation of power plants employing surface condensers may at times be interrupted by a total or partial failure of the condensate pump, Under these circumstances, the condensate accumulates in the bottom of the condenser and soon rises to a level sufficient to cut olf the flow of air to the air pump, thus causing` a loss of vacuum within the condenser, and resulting frequently in a. closing down of the power unit served by the condenser.

My novel apparatus is designed with a. two-fold purpose: to deliver non-condensable gases from the condenser at a low temperature and a low specific volume dur-` Serial No. 456,679.

serving t0 water-cool the inner wall of the main air cooling chamber and to prevent the incoming steam and falling condensate from contacting therewith.

I also provide in addition to the usual condensate and air pumps, a third pump communicating with the auxiliary air chamber at a higher level than the usial air pump. The withdrawal of air from the condenser through the auxiliary chamber occurs only when the condensate has risen within the condenser sufficiently to cut ofi' the passage of air to the main cooling chamber and is cont-rolled by a float, the movements of which are responsive to the level of the condensate within the condenser. The ar angement of the air removal passages and the float controlling mechanism is such that when a predetermined rise in the level of the condensate within the condenser occurs, the main air pump will function as a condensate removal pump and the third pump will serve to remove air from the condenser through the auxiliary chamber and, hence to maintain a vacuum therein. My novel apparat-us is entirely automatic in operation and is so constructed that when normal operation of the condensate pump, is restored, the air removal apparatus will also be caused to function normally.

Referring to the drawing for a more detailed understanding of my invention, a. condenser 10, of the horizontal cylindrical type, is shown provided with a condensing chamber 11 having a steam admission port 12 and a condensate outlet port 13 located at the lowermost portion thereof. A condensate pump 14 of any suitable construction connects with the lower portion of the condenser by means of a pipe 15. IVithin the condensing chamber 11 are provided horizontally extending tubes 1T through which the cooling water for eifecting condensation is conveyed. A baille 18 extends from a central line on one sidewall of the condensing chamber 1l downwardly toward the condensate off-take 13, the lower edge of the baffle being spaced a short distance from the bottom of the condenser. A second battle 19 situated above and parallel to the baille 18 extends .from the side of the condenser shell, the battle 19 being shorter than the baille 18 t0 provide an elevated entrance to the chamber 24 determined thereby. Both the batlies 1S and 19 extend the full lengt-h of the condensing chamber 11 in a manner common in condenser construction.

The baffle 18 forms with a portion of the cylindrical condenser wall an air cooling and drying chamber 20, segmental in cross section and provided with an air inlet passage 21 at the bottom thereof and with two air discharge openings 22, 23 adjacent the top thereof. `The baille 19 coope 'ates with the baille 18 to form a cooling chamber 24 of lesser capacity than the chamber 20. A discharge opening 25 is provided near the upper portion of the chamber 24.

The discharge '.poning is arranged at a lower level than the discharge opening '23 and connects through a conduit 21T with an ejector 2S which may be of any suitable construction. As shown, the ejector QS comprises an entraining chamber 29, a steam supply pipe 30, a nozzle 31 and a diii'user 32, the latter being connected to a suitable discharge conduit 33.

heading .from the discharge openings 23 and are conduits 35 and 3G which communicate with a valve chamber 40. The valve chamber comprises a cylindrical casing 41 in which are adapted to reciprocate the piston valve members 42, 43. The valve @members 42 and 43 are secured to a centrally positioned valve stem 44 in such a manner that when the valve 42 closes communication between the pipe 36 and the chamber 40, the pipe 35 is in open communication with the chamber 40, and when the valve 43 closes communication between the pipe 35 and the chamber 40, the pipe 36 is then in` open communication with the valve chamber.

The valve stem 44 extends downwardly through a duct 45 into a float chamber 50 and is secured at its lower end to a tioat 5l located within the float chamber 50. A pipe connects the float chamber 5() with the condensate discharge pipe 15, the arrangement being such that the levels of the condensate within the float chamber and the condensing chamber 11 are at all times equal.

Extending from the upper end of the valve chamber 40 is an air withdrawal pipe which leads to an ejector 56 of any suitable construction. As shown, the ejector 5G comprises an entraining chamber 57, a steam admission pipe a nozzle 59 and a diffuser GO, the latter opening into a. discharge pipe 61.

Having described the arrangement of an apparatus embodying mj' invention, the operation thereof is as follows: Under normal conditions of operation, the condensate pump 14 removes the condensate formed within the chamber 11. The float 51 is then in its lowermost position and air from the segmental chamber 20 is withdrawn through the pipe 2"?" and ejector i8 and also through the pipe 35, valve chamber 40 and ejector 5G in the usual manner. The valve 4Q under these normal conditions cuts oli' communication between the pipe and the valve chamber 4() so that no air is withdrawn through the chamber Q4 and pipe Under these normal conditions of operation, no considerable amount -of vapor will be condensed upon the tubes 17 within the chamber 24. They will, however, produce a cool zone adjacent the upper part of the baflle 19 and thus assist in cooling the air passing through the main air cooling chamber 20. Moreover, the baffle 19 will to some eX- tent prevent incoming steam and the condensate raining down from the t-ubes above from contacting with the battle 18, thus decreasing the heat transfer through the baille 1S to the non-condensable gases. This construction insures a mazium cooling of the non-condensable gases and effects a large reduction in the power necessary to evacuate the non-condensable gases fro-m the condenser.

However, should the condensate pump 14 fail for any reason, the water of condensation accumulates within 4the bottom of the condenser 2() and soon rises below the lower edge of the baiiie 13. This rise in the level of condensate within the condenser causes the float 51 in the float chamber 50 and valve members 42, 43 to move upwardly, cutting off communication between the pipe and the valve chamber 40 and establishing communication between the pipe and the valve chamber 40 lso that the ejector 56 withdraws air from the condenser by the way of the chamber 24 and pipe 36 rath-er than by way of the chamber 2O and pipe 35. The condensate is then withdrawn through the chamber 20 and conduit 27 into the ejector 28 and a su'liiciently low vacuum and level of condensate maintained within the condenser so that the efhciency of the condenser is only partially impaired.

Then the float 51 rises in the float cha-mber 50, establishing communication between the pipe 36 and the ejector 56, the lower valve 43 rises and closes the pipe 35. rlhe purpose of this is to prevent the ejector 28 from being in communication with the pipe 3G, which it otherwise would through the pipe 2T, the condenser', the pipe 35 and the chamber 40.

`When the condensate pump 14 has been made to function again, the level of the condensate within the condenser falls to a normal point below the lower cud of the baille 1S so that the segmental chamber 2O l zo may resume its normal function of cooling and drying the air and the ejector 28 its normal function of withdrawing air. lith the recession of the water level within the condenser, the float l likewise falls and causes the valve 42 to close communication between the chamber 24 and the valve chamber 40, permitting the chamber to resume its normal function of cooling the chamber 20, and the valve 43 to open the port between the pipe 35 and valve chamber 4() for the withdrawal of air through the main cooling chamber 20. rllhe apparatus is now restored to normal operating conditions.

In the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Fig. 2, the same arrangement of condenser elements, including the bailies 18 and 19, as shown in Fig. l is provided. The segmental chamber 20, however, is provided near its upper portion with a single outlet port 22 from which the pipe 27 leads to the ejector 28. The pipe 36 leading from the port in the upper portion of the air chamber 24 is arranged to communicate with a valve chamber 40 which comprises a cylindrical casing 4l and a single valve element 42. The valve 42 is secured to a valve rod 44 which extends through the duct 45 and is connected to the float 5] located in the valve chamber in a manner similar to that described in relation to Fig. l.

The valve rod 44 extends upwardly within the discharge pipe and through a stuffing box 70. The upper end of the rod 44 is connected to suitable levers 71 which are arranged to control the opening and closing of a valve 72 located within the steam admission pipe 58 of the ejector 56. The pipe 55 may be provided with a check valve 75 which is arranged to open so as to permit air to pass from the valve chamber 40 to the ejector 56.

The operation of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 2 is similar to that described above in relation to Fig. l. Under normal conditions of operation the condensate is removed by the pump 1.4 and the air is withdrawn through passage 21, chamber 20, pipe 27 and ejector 28. Under these conditions the valve 42 closes communication between the pipe 36 and valve chamber 40 so that no air passes through the chamber 24 which serves as cooling means for the chamber 20, as described above in relation to the operation of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. l. The valve 72 in the steam admission pipe 58 of the ejector 56 is also held closed s0 that the ejector 56 is inactive under normal operating conditions.

If a failure of the condensate pump should occur and thev water of condensation should accumulate within the condensing chamber 1l so that the inlet air passage 21 to the' segmental chamber 2O is submerged, the condensate will be drawn through the chamber 2O and pipe 27 and discharged by the ejector 28. The rise in level of the condensate will cause the fioat 5l to move upwardly and open the communication between the chamber 24 and the ejector 56. rIhe upward movement of the float 5l acting through the valve rod 44 and leverage 7l causes the valve 72 in the steam admission pipe 58 to be opened and thus to put in operation the ejector 56. lVhen a sufficient low pressure has been obtained within the ejector 56, the check valve 75 opens, permitting the air to be drawn from the cooling chamber 24 and discharged through the conduit 6l. Upon a recession of the water within the condenser, a normal functioning of the pumping apparatus is restored in a manner indicated in the description of the operation of the construction illustrated in Fig. l.

My novel apparatus thus described has the special advantage of operating under normal conditions with a greater efliciency than condensers now in general use, due to the auxiliary means for thoroughly cooling the non-condensable gases. The automatically controlled pumping apparatus is simple in construction and in operation and has a special utility in connection with condensate removal pumps of the ejector type in which the pumping action may be stopped due to an insufficiency of condensate and in which the restarting is often delayed until a considerable head of condensate has been accumulated. It is to be understood, however, that my auxiliary cooling chamber construction and my emergency condensate removal apparatus are adapted to be utilized in connection with condensers employing any type of condensate pump, and that the auxiliary cooling chamber may be used in a condenser construction independently of the pump controlling mechanism.

While I have shown my invention in two forms, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various other changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof, and I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereupon as are imposed by the prior art or as are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

l. In combination, a condenser having main and auxiliary air removal apparatus connected to the condenser at different operative levels, the auxiliary air removal apparatus being connected to the condenser at a higher level than the main air removal apparatus and means within the condenser for directing thc condensate to the main air removal apparatus upon a predetermined rise of level of the condensate within the condenser.

2. In combination, a condenser having main and auxiliary air ejectors connected Cil to the condenser at different operating levels,

the auxiliary ejector being connected to the condenser at a 4higher level than the main ejector and .means responsive to the level of condensate in the condenser for placing said auxiliary air pu np in communication with the condenser at a higher level upon a predetermined rise in level of the condensate.

3. ln a surface condenser having a condensate pump and an air pump, the combination of an auxiliary air pump communieating with the condenser at a higher point than said air pump, and float cont-rolled means responsive to the level of the condensate in the condenser for causing the auxiliary pump to withdraw air from the condenser at the higher level upon a predetermined rise in level ot' the condensate in the condenser.

4. ln combination with a surface condenser having a condensate pump and a main air removal pump, of an auxiliary air ramp connected to the condenser at a higher point than the main air ejector, and means within the condenser for utilizing the main air ejector as a condensate pump upon an accumulation of condensate within the condenser.

5. ln combination with a surface condenser of the cylindrical type having a condensate pump and a main air removal pump, of an auxiliary air pump, a hot well located in the lower portion of the condenser, an inclined bathe. extending from a central line of the side of the cylinder to near the bottom thereof and defining a segmental air cooling and drying chamber, pipe leading from the upper portion of said cha-mbt r to the iain air ejector, a second inclined baiile eX- tending parallel to and above said first mentioned baille, and defi-ning` a normally inactive auxiliary air drying and cooling chamber, a conduit leading from said auxiliary chamber and means dependent upon the rise in level `of condensate in the condenser for discharging condensate through said segmental chamber to the main air pump and for withdrawing air through said auxiliary chamber to said auxiliary air pump upon a predetermined rise of condensate within the condenser.

G. In combination with a condenser having a condensing space and an air cooling space, and horizontal cooling` tubesl traversing said spaces, of a cooling` zone lying between the condensing space and the air cooling space, whereby transfer of heat between the two said spaces is minimized.

7. ln con'ibination with a condenser having a condensing space and an air cooling space, and horizontal cooling tubes traversing said spaces, of a cooling Zone lying between the condensing space and the air cooling space, a group of the horizontal cooling tubes traversing said cooling zone, wllereby transfer of heat between the two said spaces is minimized.

S. In combination with a condenser having a condensing space and an air cooling s race, and horizontal cooling tubes traversing said spaces, of a cooling zone lying between the condensing space and the air cooling space, and enclosed except for a limited passage to the condensing space, a group of the horizontal cooling tubes traversing said cooling zone, whereby transfer of heat betwe Li the two said spaces is minimized.

9. The combination with a condenser having` a shell enclosing a condensing space and horizontal cooling tubes traversing the space, of a baille extending from a middle portion of the side of the condenser to near the bottom thereof and defining with the condenser shell an air cooling chamber, an `air withdrawal conduit leading from the upper portion of the said chamber, a second baffle parallel to and spaced a short distance from the first named battle, whereby incoming steam and condensate from the tubes will be prevented from contacting with at least a part of the `first-named baffle.

l0. The combination with a condenser having a shell enclosing a condensing space and horizontal cooling tubes traversing the space, oit a baille extending from `a middle portion of the side of the condenser Yto -near the bottom thereof and delining with the condenser shell an air cooling chamber, an air withdrawal conduit leading from .the upper portion of the said chamber, a second baille parallel to and spaced a short distance from the first-named baille. .the space between the bafl'les being provided with a group of the horizontal cooling tubes whereby a cool Zone maintained between theJ .hot fluids within the condenser and the air cooling chamber.

ll. In combination, a surface condenser, meas for withdrawing air from a relatively low region of the condenser, and means responsive to the level of condensate in the con denser for withdrawing air from a higher region of the condenser upon a predetermined rise in level of condensate in the condenser.

ln combination, a surface condenser. means for withdrawing air from `a relatively low region of the condenser, and means responsive to the level ot' condensate in the condenser for ellecting a withdrawal of con ei `ate from said relatively low air withciawal region and for efectifng the withdrawal ot air from a higher region of the condenser. Y

:in testimonyv whereof, l have hereunto subscribed my name this 241th day of March, llQl.

lVi-"iRRlCN B. FT ANBERS. 

